My Girlfriend’s Fortune: 3,141,592,653,589

TL: Aniea

"You haven’t bought that bag yet, have you?"

Before Secretary Yoon delivered the news.

At Park Hye-jeong’s blatant remark, the expressions of Kang Byul and her mother turned cold.

Something felt off from the moment they entered the store. Sure enough, her attitude changed in an instant, like flipping a hand.

‘...I shouldn’t cause any trouble here.’

But still, Kim Ji-hye held back.

She wasn't sure exactly who the other person was, but she was clearly a well-to-do madam. Moreover, she was also Kim Eun-ha's guest.

VVIPs, at that.

It was better to hold back and let this slide than to cause a scene and bring trouble to Kim Eun-ha and Kang Woo-ju.

"Yes, I haven’t bought it yet."

"That’s a relief. I’ve been working really hard to get that bag. In fact, the only reason I came here today was because of the Artycapucines."

"Ah, I see."

So what?

The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she didn’t let them slip out. At that, Park Hye-jeong and her daughter casually approached and began to touch the bag.

"Hoho. The craftsmanship of artist Seo I-ryeong is truly amazing, isn’t it? Every year, six contemporary artists collaborate to make a limited edition. I heard this time a Korean artist was included."

"Indeed. The painting techniques of painter Seo I-ryeong that we saw at the last exhibition are perfectly captured here. It’s subtly unique and truly beautiful."

"......"

Park Hye-jeong and her daughter started making detailed remarks that Kim Ji-hye might not know about, subtly undermining her.

It wasn’t the first time they’d done this.

The mother and daughter duo were perfectly in sync.

"While Seo I-ryeong's work itself is attractive, the reinterpretation by Louis Vuitton is also quite appealing. I’m glad I came to see it in person."

"Exactly. The texture can’t be conveyed through a tablet at all, and sometimes I wonder if they’re being too bold with their sales tactics."

"But it's Louis Vuitton, after all. As kind-hearted people, we should be understanding, right? Oh, by the way, there’s something I wanted to ask you, Mrs. Kim Hye-ji."

"......"

Grit-

A grinding sound was heard from somewhere. Kang Byul, unable to bear it any longer, was about to step in and lash out, but Kim Ji-hye quietly extended a hand to stop her.

"It’s Kim Ji-hye. The name uses 智 (Ji, wisdom) and 慧 (Hye, intelligence). This much, I’m sure even you can remember, right?"

"......"

Flinch-

At Kim Ji-hye’s unexpectedly calm response, Park Hye-jeong’s eyebrows twitched. But only for a brief moment. Her eyes soon narrowed, like a snake that had found its prey.

"I just wanted to ask why you came to the department store today. This isn’t a place where just anyone can walk in."

"That's right. It's not a place where just anyone can come."

"...What did you say?"

"Today’s a VVIP event. Like you said, it’s not a place where just anyone can enter, right?"

"......"

Smirk-

Kim Ji-hye smiled calmly. At this, the wrinkles on Park Hye-jeong’s face became more pronounced.

The expression of disdain she had maintained all along gradually crumbled, and in its place, anger began to surface.

Kim Ji-hye, fully aware of this, continued to speak with a relaxed smile.

"You asked why I came to the department store earlier, right? I was invited by someone I know."

"Someone you know..."

"I don’t think it’s very polite to mention names when the person isn’t present. So, it’s a bit difficult for me to explain in detail."

Kim Ji-hye firmly drew the line.

At this, Park Hye-jeong realized that her opponent wasn’t as easy as she’d thought. Simultaneously, the feeling of "How dare she?" began to swell within her.

'This woman really doesn't know anything.'

It could be that she's just momentarily angry and lashing out like a commoner, but that subtly confident and relaxed attitude was extremely irritating.

She was probably relying on her son and Kim Eun-ha. But that was the kind of naive thought that even a passing dog would laugh at.

‘Does she even know what kind of bitch Kim Eun-ha is...?’

At a glance, she might seem like a cheerful person who smiles easily and is full of consideration, but beneath that surface, her insides were not just dark—they were a complete abyss.

The successor competition within Mirae Group, where even dipping your toes in could cost you your neck, was proof enough. She had entered late and still managed to survive until now.

‘She doesn’t even realize that her son is just a disposable shield.’

To Kim Eun-ha, Kang Woo-ju was nothing more than a tool. A kind of talisman to ward off misfortune. But if that tool causes problems, the outcome is obvious.

Even if the issue is caused by his family rather than him personally, to Kim Eun-ha, it’s all the same.

Kim Ji-hye, standing right in front of her, didn’t realize that her trivial pride could cause everything to be lost in an instant.

So, it had to be made clear to her.

Where she truly belongs.

"Oh, now that I think about it, I heard your son is making his debut in a drama this time. And as the lead, no less? People are saying it's quite a bold decision."

"I think it’s a reward for his hard work. Not just because he’s my son, but Woo-ju has really worked hard."

"A reward for his hard work... Well, I suppose. It does take effort to seduce a woman, after all."

"......"

This time, it was Kim Ji-hye's eyebrows that twitched. Though the smile on her face remained, it seemed as if all warmth had completely disappeared.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Don’t pretend you don’t know. Ah, or maybe you really don’t, Mrs. Kim Ji-hye. This industry values connections over talent. Without a strong 'sponsor', it’s hard to even get your foot in the door."

"......"

"I heard your son was cast without a proper audition this time? From what I’ve heard, Mirae Group gave a massive amount of advertising to TvM recently. Do you think that’s just a coincidence?"

Hoho-

Unlike before, the impact of her words was clear, and a smile finally formed on Park Hye-jeong’s face. She continued speaking without a pause.

"Normally, they’d at least hold a formal public audition and pretend to pick someone. But this time, it was so blatant that no one could miss it."

"Success isn’t achieved by wealth and connections alone, though."

"Of course not. But you know better than anyone how rare that possibility is, don’t you? ‘Mrs. 'Wisdom’?"

"......"

Kim Ji-hye couldn’t easily refute her words. The last few years, or rather, even the last few months alone, had clearly demonstrated that.

Her husband, who could barely get a proper diagnosis, had surgery from the best doctor in the country.

Her son, who was just a no-name actor, suddenly skyrocketed to stardom and landed a leading role.

And even the reason she was here at this very moment was due to the dramatic changes brought about by just one person, ‘Kim Eun-ha’.

‘...Not a single thing she said is wrong.’

All the things she’d just recalled were things she couldn’t have done herself, even if she’d wanted to. As someone who had experienced all of this firsthand, Kim Ji-hye couldn’t deny the truth in her words.

"Ma'am, I think that's enough..."

A store employee, unable to watch any longer, stepped forward to try to mediate, but Park Hye-jeong, as if she had been waiting for this, raised her voice, her eyes glaring.

"Hey! Are you out of your mind? How dare a mere employee interrupt a conversation between madams!? What’s your name? Where’s the manager here!?"

"I-I’m sorry. I was just..."

"And now you’re talking back? What kind of employee training do they do here? Do you even know who I am? Do you know how much money I spend here every year...!"

Swoosh-!

It seemed as though Park Hye-jeong was trying to release all the pent-up frustration she had accumulated during her conversation with Kim Ji-hye, as she raised her hand high into the air.

Just as her hand, full of strength, was about to swing down unrestrained toward the employee’s cheek—

"That's enough."

Smack-

Kim Ji-hye grabbed her wrist. Park Hye-jeong frowned and immediately tried to pull her hand away, but her opponent's grip was so strong that she let out an involuntary scream.

"Aaaah-! Let go of me!"

"If I let go, will you stop?"

"You crazy bitch, know your place! Kyaaah-!"

As Park Hye-jeong roughly yanked her hand free and attempted to slap her again, Kim Ji-hye casually stepped back to avoid it and then grabbed a fistful of her hair.

Not used to pain, Park Hye-jeong couldn’t even put up a proper struggle, only screaming in agony.

"Mom!"

"Where do you think you're going?"

As her daughter tried to intervene, Kang Byul naturally stepped in to block her path.

She, too, was a veteran at dealing with troublesome customers after working countless part-time jobs. Already seething with anger, she felt this situation was oddly satisfying.

"There's a limit to looking down on people. Real wealthy folks are usually more laid-back and kind, but it's always those who are just in the middle who cause problems."

"You little...!!"

"What? You want to take me on too?"

"......"

Under Kang Byul’s fierce glare, Park Hye-jeong’s daughter unconsciously averted her eyes. Seeing this, Kang Byul clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"Aaaaah-! Are you really not going to let go!?"

"I asked if you'll behave if I let go."

"Just let go already!!"

"Guess that’s a no."

As Park Hye-jeong twisted her entire body in a fit of rage, Kim Ji-hye skillfully maneuvered her around the store as if she were bullfighting, keeping her from damaging any of the merchandise.

The way she controlled Park Hye-jeong while avoiding any harm to the store's goods was nothing short of an art form.

"...My mom is still the same."

Kang Byul shuddered.

Since childhood, Kang Woo-ju and Kang Byul had literally fought until they were bruised and bloody. And it was always Kim Ji-hye who had to mediate.

But you couldn’t stop the fierce fights of young, hot-blooded people with just words. It was Kim Ji-hye who had physically managed to do just that.

"Daughter."

"Yes, Mom!?"

"Hold Mom's bag for a moment."

Even while subduing Park Hye-jeong, Kim Ji-hye carefully handed over the Artycapucines bag with her free hand.

Watching the almost circus-like performance, the store employees couldn’t help but gasp in awe.

Siiik- Siiik-

After a few rounds around the store, Park Hye-jeong finally exhausted herself, her strength completely drained. Panting heavily, she spat out her words.

"Do you think you’ll get away with this? My husband is the CEO of Daema Construction!"

"And my daughter-in-law is the granddaughter of the Chairman of Mirae Group."

"Kek! You crazy bitch. You’re calling her your daughter-in-law."

Pfft-!

Even with her hair still being pulled and her appearance disheveled, Park Hye-jeong couldn’t stop laughing. She spoke as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

"Just because she donated some pocket change, you think you’re something special. You’re deluding yourself into thinking you’re actually family. But you were born different from us! Like water and oil, we can never mix!"

"Even water and oil can mix under the right circumstances."

"......!?"

Surprisingly, the response didn’t come from Kim Ji-hye but from another direction. The weighty voice that naturally commanded attention made everyone turn their heads in shock.

There stood Kang Woo-ju.

His eyes colder than ever before.